Where Men Can Become Better Gentlemen

Men's Underwear

"Freeballing" or "Going Commando"

There are numerous terms (e.g.
“freeballing”, “free-styling”, “freewheeling” “going regimental”, “going commando”
etc.), which may be used to describe the act of not wearing underpants.

History

Brave Scots

Perhaps the most notable group of people
believed to go without underpants are Scotsmen with kilts. The kilt is
traditional male clothing in Scotland and is also part of the uniform for
Scottish military regiments and there are stories relating to soldiers lifting
their kilts (either from the front or the back) to instil fear or show contempt
to their enemies – see the Battle of Stirling scene in the 1995 Braveheart
movie staring Mel Gibson. Although this may be dubious in terms of being
historically correct, it indicates “going regimental” has probably been known
about (at least amongst the Scottish) for at least 2 or 3 hundred years.

True Scotsman

Interestingly there are no written rules
amongst Scottish Regiments of the British Army, regarding underpants when
wearing a kilt. This tends to suggest it is left to an individual for them to
decide to wear their kilt with or without underpants. If the choice is to go
without underpants then they are referred to as a “true Scotsman” (regardless
of their ancestry). Today, for modesty, sporting athletes and dancers wear
underpants or compression shorts, usually in a dark color to go with the kilt.

In the Wash

While the Scottish may have been the
earliest adopters to freeballing, it would take the easier laundering and at
lower costs for males to consider going commando. This was brought about by the
availability of a domestic washing machine in every home, perhaps starting from
the 1950’s, to encourage the non-wearing of underpants to a wider mainstream
population.

Yon Don't Know Man, You Weren't There!

The scenario of not wearing underpants was
helped to establish itself with American veterans returning from the Vietnam
War during the 1960’s. While in Vietnam the wet, hot and humid climate made
wearing underpants uncomfortable, if not unhealthy due to crotch skin
conditions such as rashes, inflammation and infection. Troops needed to gain
more airflow and found this could be achieved by not wearing their underpants.
This became known as “Going Commando” and proved to be a habit they continued
when back in the States.

Synthetic Birth

With the advent of more synthetic clothing materials
we have seen an increase in the number of garments designed to be worn without
underpants. These include swimming trunks, sports shorts, compression
shorts/pants, cycling shorts etc. and have certainly helped to give men more
freedom of choice in what they wear and how.

To Wear or not to Wear Underpants? That is the Question!

With regard to freeballing today it appears
there are two camps and they seem strictly divided between men who do go
commando and those who would never dream of doing so. Many might be forgiven
for asking: “Who is right?” However, as with many things in life (and in this
case, men's attire) there is no wrong or right, just a question of personal
choice. Regardless of which camp you are in, the following information might help
you: consider freeballing; help you overcome some common difficulties with
going commando; or firmly set you mind on never going out without your
underpants on!

Advantages to Freeballing

Comfort

Many find it more comfortable when wearing tighter fitting pants (trousers)
e.g. jeans to go without underpants. This seems to be the main reason people choose not to wear
underpants, and some limit their freeballing to this style of pants only, while
donning underwear with other styles of pants e.g. Khaki’s, Dress & Suit
pants etc.

Style

Going without underpants ensure there is no visible panty line (VPL), or as some call it “Manty” (rather
than “Panty”) - i.e. VML! However, there are other alternatives to this by wearing
differently styled underpants e.g. trunks, thongs etc.

Coolness

There is Increased airflow around your genitalia without underpants; this creates a cooler
feeling during the warmer months or when in hotter climates. However this could also
be achieved by using looser fitting garments, and making better-informed
choices regarding the materials employed.

Sexy

Not only might it titillate you with the freedom the lack of
underpants may bring, but it provides quicker/easier access for a spouse or
partner. We’ll leave the rest of this up to your imagination…

Disadvantages to Going Commando

The Zipper Trap

Catching hair and/or skin in your
zipper can be painful, and may lead you to make strange noises, usually at
awkward moments. In bad cases it can cause blood ruptures under the skin,
leaving bruise like markings. In extreme and rare circumstances the zipper may
become stuck and too painful to unzip, requiring the support of medical
services to extract you! Reducing or removing hair by using a hair trimmer
and/or shaving certainly helps in reducing the possibility of things getting
stuck in a zipper, as does a button-up fly.

Wet Patch

The need to tap more than just once,
before leaving the urinal, needs to be considered to ensure all liquid has been
accounted for. Otherwise a wet patch will develop on your pants, often
appearing a few minutes later (rather than immediately), and is accentuated when
wearing lighter colored pants.

Laundry

If wearing machine washable pants and you only wear them the once
before cleaning them, then the following is not an issue. If you do not clean
your pants on each occasion of wearing, any sweat, drippings (urine), seepage
(semen) or faeces (poo) will go directly onto your pants (rather than your
underwear). This will necessitate increased washing and may cause higher costs,
especially if the pants require dry cleaning.

Support

This may not happen to everyone but it is possible your underpants
are providing much needed support in preventing a hernia. We are not entirely
convinced there is any medical or scientific evidence to support (pun intended)
this theory, although if you go commando and experience pain immediately below
your genitalia, seek qualified medical help. Different types of underpants
provide varying levels of support and you may find the more vigorous your
activities (e.g. sport) the greater the need for this support.

Embarrassment

If your pants rip you may find yourself exposing more than you
wish. You may also expose more of yourself than intended, particularly if you are
wearing shorts, as underpants often help to tame the beast within!

Impromptu

You never know when you might need to sleepover at friends or
when you might wish to go skinny-dipping. While going without underpants might
not prevent you from doing these things, wearing underpants sometimes make
these things easier, especially when in mixed company.

Cold

In cold seasons and climates freeballing may prove to be overly
cold, it is not unknown for testicles to temporarily retract themselves back
into the body and the penis to shrivel in size (making it difficult to urinate,
and with accuracy, until it has warmed up). Wearing underpants in cold
conditions will certainly add a degree of warmth you may be thankful for.

Shape Up

Like padded bras for women, there are padded
underpants for men that can enhance the bulge in front or the round fullness of the
butt. Obviously by going commando this type of enhancement is not available.